Ex-Barcelona star Dani Alves faces trial for alleged 2022 nightclub rape

The renowned Brazilian footballer Dani Alves appeared in a Barcelona court on Monday, facing charges of raping a young woman in a nightclub on Dec. 30, 2022.

Prosecutors are seeking a nine-year prison sentence and a subsequent 10-year period of conditional liberty, along with 150,000 euros ($161,051) in compensation for the victim.

Alves was a former player for Barcelona, Juventus, Paris Saint-Germain, and Sevilla and has been in pre-trial detention since January 2023. He was escorted to court from a nearby prison, dressed in a white shirt and jeans. The trial, anticipated to conclude on Wednesday, has attracted significant media attention, though the accuser's identity remains confidential.

Accusation against Dani Alves

The prosecution alleges that Alves, who was in Barcelona on holiday after participating in the World Cup in Qatar, offered champagne to the woman and her friend at the Sutton nightclub's VIP area. He then purportedly led the woman to a secluded part of the club, which she did not realize was a bathroom. Alves allegedly was violent toward her and raped her despite her resistance.

The woman reported the incident immediately, leading to the collection of extensive evidence, including scientific and video material. Following the incident, she sought and received medical treatment and is currently undergoing care for post-traumatic stress.

Alves initially denied knowing the woman during a television interview but later admitted to consensual sex, a statement that has since changed multiple times. He claimed in a statement to La Vanguardia in June that he initially lied due to fear of his wife's reaction and later attributed his actions to severe impairment by alcohol.

Source: Newsroom